The government has tightened the rules on politicians’ travel expenses, after a Fairfax Media campaign revealed MPs were regularly claiming taxpayer money to attend weddings, football matches and check on their far-flung investment properties.

The rule changes, detailed by Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson in Melbourne this morning, will clamp down on politicians claiming expenses on weekend stopovers at destinations en route to Canberra.

The changes will also stop politicians employing relatives in parliamentary or electoral offices.

League lover ... Barnaby Joyce during a State of Origin touch rugby match at Parliament House Canberra on Wednesday 26 June 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Ronaldson said that MPs will have to sign a strengthened travel declaration where they acknowledge that they would have to repay the claim, with a fine of an additional 25 per cent, if it is later found to be unwarranted.

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"We believe it will be a good incentive to ensure that the paperwork that is submitted is correct and people have indeed travelled under the requirements of that new declaration," he said.

He also announced that from next year MPs who are are found to have lodged more than one ‘‘incorrect claim’’ will have to undergo mandatory training.

But Mr Ronaldson said it was ‘‘completely impractical’’ to have an officer oversee parliamentarians’ claims.

Responsibility will instead reside with individuals to do the right thing, and the Finance department can also investigate individual cases.

‘‘As far as possible the system should help all parliamentarians to best serve their electors and the Australian community more generally while maintaining public confidence in its integrity and ensuring taxpayers’ money is well spent,’’ Mr Ronaldson said.

The move comes after widespread public anger at the travel rorts scandal in Canberra that has embroiled a growing number of MPs.

Fairfax Media led a vigorous campaign on the issue, exposing dubious claims by politicians for attending weddings, rugby league matches and other social functions.

Flights, hire cars, taxis and accommodation have all been billed to the taxpayer for such events, with expense claims from both sides of parliament coming under scrutiny.

More than $20,000 has been repaid in the last in the past month by politicians since Fairfax Media revealed on September 29 that two of Mr Abbott’s most high-profile ministers claimed thousands of dollars for attending the wedding of close friend and Sydney shock jock Michael Smith. Attorney-General George Brandis and Deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce subsequently repaid $1683 and $615.90 they had respectively claimed for the trip.

Fairfax Media also revealed that West Australian MP Don Randall and a family member flew to Cairns for an overnight stay in November 2012.

Mr Randall claimed the $5259 trip was “electorate business”, despite it being 3446 kilometres from his electorate of Canning.

Mr Joyce has also come under fire for claiming $5300 worth of expenses for attending three NRL games last year.

The Deputy Nationals leader, who was given free tickets to watch a State of Origin game and two NRL finals in corporate boxes, claimed flights to Sydney, Comcars and overnight travel allowances to the value of $4615 as well as $741 to fly a family member Sydney and join him at the NRL grand final on September 30.

He has so far refused to pay back these costs, telling ABC Radio: ’’The only reason you go to them is because you’re invited [as] an official guest. The only reason you’re an official guest is because you’re a politician. By reason [of] you being there, they talk to you about their business.’’Mr Abbott himself repaid $1095 for attending the wedding of former colleague Sophie Mirabella in 2006 and $609 for Mr Slipper’s event the same year.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said on Saturday that an announcement would be made "strengthening the rules governing parliamentarians’ expenses".

The Prime Minister, who is in Western Australia at the Liberal Party state conference, is expected to speak about the changes later today.

The Prime Minister would not need to introduce legislation to implement most of the new rules on travel expenses but is expected to seek bipartisan support if any legislative amendments are needed.

Fairfax Media

439 comments

Sounds good, but the proof of the pudding will be if they enforce it equally on ALL members of parliament, regardless of party, with no bent rules for 'mates.'

Commenter

Cynical

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 7:20AM

Three things: does having their claim rejected mean they have to put their claim before a review body before getting any sponduliks at all?Does that mean that they get fined 25% just for trying it on?And I don't think meeting with lobbyists constitutes parliamentary activity - political yes. So what expenses are covered - those required to fulfil their parliamentary role or those of advantage for party political purposes and is there a proper way of distinguishing between the two

Commenter

Christopher

Location

Watershipdownunder

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 7:53AM

Possibly, but somebody better decide whether weddings are in or out, funerals likewise and same for footy matches.

We can probably assume that trips from Perth to Cairns to inspect rental properties are a no no.

Commenter

Hacka

Location

Canberra

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 8:01AM

Joyce:

"The only reason you go to them is because you're invited [as] an official guest. The only reason you're an official guest is because you're a politician. By reason [of] you being there, they talk to you about their business."

Taxpayers should not be funding the ferrying of politicians to lobbyists. If someone rich enough to have a corporate box wants a politician to join them so they can have exclusive access, they can damn well pay for the transport, not the tax payer.

Commenter

Roke

Location

Canberra

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 8:37AM

@Hacka. Of course weddings and football matches are NOT acceptable. No meetings with lobbyists, etc. A REAL press-the-flesh would be a visit to a community centre (or such) to TALK to people whilst ON FOOT (not riding through on a bike or swimming past in a competition).

Commenter

Jump

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 8:37AM

So - Does that mean Slipper is now in the clear too - like all of the other pollies Abbott is going to save?

If not for Slipper too - why not?

Commenter

Jump

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 8:39AM

Good work SMH for exposing the 'level' of rorting and the unwillingness of Abbott (who has been pressured to repent) to address the problem.How long befor the next backflip . . . . :)

Commenter

Danger Ranger

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 8:40AM

The 24/7 cycle they like to think they work is only down to their grandiose sense of self-importance. They could pull their head in and get far more focussed on where they get their advice - obviously Joyce has made some serious errors of judgement about that - get rid of the corporate box mentality and back to his office in the electorate or just home to watch the game on the telly

Commenter

Christopher

Location

Watershipdownunder

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 9:10AM

Just name me one politician that has been forced into it.

The job is so extremely hard they fight tooth and nail to be selected and elected.

So don't come this 'poor pollie' crap with me.

If the 'take what you want because you're a pollie' mentality you advocate was introduced, there just wouldn't be enough room at the trough for the pushing, swirling masses trying to get their noses in - and keeping it in, they'd end up breaking the poor old taxpayer.

I believe if they brought in a 'pay them what they're worth' policy, some would earn a substantial increase while many others would be out wandering streets with a begging bowl.

Commenter

Ifitsuptome

Location

Western Victoria

Date and time

November 09, 2013, 9:37AM

it sounds good hope it works but id rather see them sacked or jailed as the theif they are.